paula

Minda, so glad to hear from you! We were ALL getting worried. Im with Leatha... did he do any test to make sure the band was still in the proper place? I posted a thread about a month ago regarding THIS exact situation - reagarding what happens when we have a stomach virus or food poisoning and have to vomit from the stomach - NOT the pouch. This was the only question that bothered me about getting the band. Glad you are on the road to healing!

Ok, I may be the only one here that didnt know this, but JUST in-case Im not, I thought Id share it. In our local paper yesterday, there was a column that stated Splenda was NOT safe to use - so "I investigated". This is what I found.... 12 Questions You Need to Have Answered Before You Eat Splenda From Dr. Janet Starr Hull's Health Newsletter, December 2003 Q: What exactly is Splenda? A: In a simple sentence, you would just as soon have a pesticide in your food as sucralose because sucralose (Splenda) is a chlorocarbon. The chlorocarbons have long been known for causing organ, genetic, and reproductive damage. It should be no surprise, therefore, that the testing of sucralose reveals that it can cause up to 40 percent shrinkage of the thymus: a gland that is the very foundation of our immune system. Sucralose also causes swelling of the liver and kidneys, and CALCIFICATION of the kidney. Note: if you experience kidney pain, cramping, or an irritated bladder after using sucralose in Splenda, stop use immediately. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: So sucralose is not found as a natural compound in nature, like real sugar? A: Absolutely not. No sugar molecule is compounded with chlorine anywhere in nature. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Do you know how it is made in the laboratory? A: I found this information from a statement from the manufacturer, actually. 'Sucralose is made from sugar, but is derived from sucrose (sugar) through a process that selectively substitutes three atoms of chlorine for three hydrogen-oxygen groups on the sucrose molecule. No artificial sweetener made in the laboratory is going to be neither natural to the body nor safer than unprocessed sugar', they claim. People need to stop searching for excuses to eat all the junk food they want without penalty. In the long run, no one benefits from this product but the corporations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: The corporate researchers claim that the chlorine atoms are so tightly bound; they create a molecular structure that is exceptionally stable under extreme pH and temperature conditions. Do you agree? A: They are testing these conditions in lab rats, and these types of corporate studies have forced and 'selective' results, in my opinion. Aspartame research is the proof of this! Test these chemicals on a child and see how stable it is--but that would be cruel. So, why then do we buy it and give it to our children? I don't buy into manufacturers' claims when it comes to human beings using ANY man-made chemical. Plus, I have learned over the past 25 years of aspartame research to value independent research above that which is funded by corporations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: The corporations say sucralose is safe. A: They said the same thing about aspartame, and look at the rampant disease and obesity taking over America since aspartame was put into the food supply over 20 years ago. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Can sucralose cause cancer? A: Any animal that eats chlorine (especially on a regular basis) is at risk of cancer. The Merk Manuel and OSHA 40 SARA 120 Hazardous Waste Handbook states that chlorine is a carcinogen and emergency procedures should be taken when exposed via swallowing, inhaling, or through the skin. It all depends upon how much you use and how often, your present and past health status, and the degree of other toxins you are putting inside your body. Good luck with this one … -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Sucralose has been thoroughly tested, they claim. Actually they have stated that sucralose is the most tested food additive in history. I quote, " … more than 100 studies on the safety of sucralose designed to meet the highest scientific standards have been conducted and evaluated over the course of 20 years. " A: I don't believe that for a second. They stated verbatim the same thing about aspartame. We are looking at the same scenario in so many ways. As with NutraSweet, no human studies, corporate payrolled researchers, selective result reporting, government involvement and personal financial interests and controlled media. I will say that sucralose is not as dangerous as aspartame. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Splenda is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar. How can that be? A: As I stated before, the product is a forced product, not a natural sugar the body uses for fuel. People forget that sweetness is a by-product of foods--a bonus so to say. Forced sweetness, revved-up sweetness, and artificial sweetness--all altered foods that are a trap for people to get addicted to the sweeter tastes. People with eating disorders, children who are just learning about food, and people with illnesses are all being 'sold a bill of rubbish' in my opinion. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: The manufacturer claims sucralose doesn't react with other substances in the body and is not broken down in the body. A: They claimed the same thing about saccharin, even though I feel saccharin is the only artificial sweetener with true merit. To answer your question, if the body is digesting properly, anything you put into the body will be assimilated. If it happens to be rancid, the stomach will throw it out immediately by vomiting or diarrhea. It is totally out of the realm of biological science to think the body will not immediately attack a toxic chemical. Henceforth, migraines from aspartame and diarrhea from Splenda. Now, to add a note to this: if the body is fed an indigestible product such as plastic (like in margarine) that it is incapable of dissolving through normal digestion, it will pass through undigested (if it doesn't get stuck in the gall bladder, that is.) So, if sucralose is indigestible due to its laboratory compounding, then we have yet another serious health problem to consider, don't you think? Technology is great, but we sure don't need to be eating it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and government food authority committees and the Health Ministries in countries such as Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil have confirmed the safety of sucralose. So have the countries of Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay, Romania, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, South Africa, and Tanzania. What do you think of all these countries confirming Splenda's safety? A: The history of aspartame has unfortunately proven that individuals within government agencies cannot and should not be trusted to make such empowering public decisions behind closed doors. Now, re-read this list of countries … Mexico, Jamaica, Tajikistan and Tanzania? These are the countries in which Splenda is now marketed? (See the final question.) As an international geographer, I can comfortably say that these countries are not nations with the same technology and mass marketing strategies to be compared with the United States. These countries are more concerned with birth control, food staples, hostile take-overs, and drought--not diet sweeteners. Compare apples to apples. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Is sucralose safe for children? A: The manufacturer actually made this statement for disclosure: "One should note, however, that foods made with low-calorie sweeteners are not normally a recommended part of a child's diet, since calories are important to a growing child's body." Pay attention … Children should not be encouraged to grow up on fake foods. But just like cigarettes and alcohol, do what I say and not what I do? And we wonder why the younger generation is angry, ill, and ridden with ADD/ADHD and diabetes?? How many kids do you see taking a sip of mom or brother's diet cola? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: Who manufactures and markets sucralose? A: McNeil Specialty Products Company (MSPC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, along with Tate & Lyle PLC, a world leader in sweeteners and starches, all share responsibility for developing and manufacturing sucralose for commercial use. Sucralose is the first product from McNeil Specialty, whose mission is to develop and market innovative food ingredients that help consumers control, maintain and improve their health. Internationally, McNeil Specialty markets sucralose in the United States, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East; Tate & Lyle markets sucralose in Africa, Asia, Europe and Canada. Internationally, McNeil Specialty markets sucralose under the name SPLENDAR Brand Sweetener. SPLENDAR is a registered trademark of McNeil Specialty Products Company. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Mercola's Comment: This is an excellent interview and one that I encourage you to read carefully if you think Splenda is safe to use. Please note that I do not advise using Splenda. Over three years ago I posted an article describing the dangers of Splenda (sucralose). Why not use Splenda? Well, research in animals has shown that sucralose can cause many problems such as: Shrunken thymus glands (up to 40 percent shrinkage) Enlarged liver and kidneys Atrophy of lymph follicles in the spleen and thymus Increased cecal weight Reduced growth rate Decreased red blood cell count Hyperplasia of the pelvis Extension of the pregnancy period Aborted pregnancy Decreased fetal body weights and placental weights Diarrhea Nearly every month we receive a report from someone who has had an adverse reaction to Splenda, and you can see many of these reports posted on our site.

My hospital bill ALONE was $61,000.

lmao........ I completely understand!

I started using splenda about 2 months ago - I WAS using un-refined (brown) sugar. But the carb levels were more then I wanted, so when I got the band I switched to the splenda. Havent had any side affects from it so far. Im not gonna give it a chance though... back to the natural brown sugar! I do NOT need any EXTRA health concerns. I love all of you so much that I just wanted to share this information with the rest of you. Betty - hope things get better now that you MAY have found the root to your failing heath.

WOW... YOU LOOK GREAT! (Its sooooo encouraging to see before and after pics) I agree with Marie - being Inamed's new spokesperson... You look fantastic! Awesome job!!!

Penni, I figured you would be back home long before the "other" hurricane decided to visit Jamaica. It was just a head-up for you since you seem to be dodging hurricanes lately;) And your arms look FINE - at least you can go sleeveless! Thats a BIG high-five!!!

I just love pictures. Leatha - what beautiful kids! Betty took the EXACT words out of my mouth - that your daughter looks like a model. You just have 2? For some reason I thought you had another one. It MUST be hard to have your baby so far away... Thank you so much for showing them to us. YOU ARE BLESSED!

Hey guys, please accept my apology about the"HUGE arms" thing. It sounded VERY judgmental. I said that thinking (like Leatha said) that with a slower weight loss things will have more time to "resize" . Heck, I have the huge arms, huge hips, huge boobs... everythings huge on me, so I feel bad for stating that comment.

Marie, Just like I said, I ALMOST agreed with her - but didnt. And exactly for the same reasons you mentioned. She has lost all of this weight since December. She weighs 155ish now - and looks 15 years older then she did before the surgery (actually she looks sick). But the saddest thing is the top of her arms are still HUGE(saggy skin thing). After she made that comment and walked away, I saw her arms... I THEN thanked God that I made the right decision. Thanks for the "lift" though.... you are wonderful! Canoe, Thank you for the reminder, but Ive done 20 pounds in 2 months on diet pills - MANY times - so Im not excited about this band JUST yet. Im sure I will be when I hit the -40 mark... thats something the diet pills couldnt do:) God bless you and good luck with the surgery.

OK, what an old subject! I mean, its obviously old to those of you that are pleased with your results so far. (that sounds tacky, but I dont mean for it to be) Its the weight thing again.... I just dont understand it! I weigh every morning (and please PLEASE dont suggest for me not to do this). I lost 12 lbs right after getting the band (on liquids) and didnt lose another ounce until my first fill (fortunately I didnt gain -due to diet pills). Then it was down another 10 within 2 weeks. You didnt hear me complain about that; but now things seem to be on the up - again - like 5 pounds up. And I HATE taking those diet pills, but Im ready to get them out again. Im really getting aggravated with this band. And for the most part, the weight gain makes me WANT to eat. If I starve - I gain. So why not eat and gain... at least Im enjoying myself. And NO its NOT pms stuff. That was 2 weeks ago when I lost the 10 pounds (I know, this is crazy). And then there's the fill. Let's see... Saturday was the last time I pb'd from getting the hang of having the first fill. I called my doc today and "they" told me to come in next Tuesday for another fill... but is that the answer??? Maybe I should try the "liquids only" for a couple of days.... maybe that will help. Delarla, Theresa.... what did YOU do to get back into losing???

One more thing.... did you know there is ANOTHER hurricane heading in that direction?

Theresa, a 62 pound weight loss??? WOW! That is fantastic! You MUST post a new avatar pic soon! Congratulations!

Thanks everyone! Michelle.... I may try not weighing for a week (not promising though). I drink PLENTY of Water (NO liquid calories - at all), I do hard protien first, soft second. But I think the problem is that even though the food is low-carb, I eat ALOT of it. Like 2 meat patties at a time.... 3 protien bars at a time.... Im hungry, so I eat! Maybe a second fill IS what I need. Leatha.... lap-band mom, I just love you! Im gonna look at those 2 sites. Thanks.

Hi Sultana, I JUST learned this valuable information from my OB's nurse - that it can take up to 2 WEEKS for our bodies to show a weight loss or gain. So maybe your body will drop like 10 pounds in a week??? I've been very discouraged about my own weight loss lately. This morning at church I had a lady (that has lost 186 pounds with the GB) tell me that I shouldve had the GB instead of the band. I almost agreed with her. Good luck with the Wellbutrin. It kept me awake for days!!!

Yeeaaaaa Penni.... Happy Birthday to you! sun.... beach.... sand.... liquor.... WOW! I wish I were there! About the guys hitting on you - isnt it NEAT to feel normal???

Im certainily NOT the one to give advice here, but since noone has commented on this I thought Id give it a shot! Are you drinking enough Water between meals? "B]Is it possible that my food is building up in my pouch and not passing thru, thereby keeping me filled up into the next day?[/b]" Replying to that quote, I think you would have a hard time keeping food in your pouch if you drink plenty of water. But Im like you - I can eat the same thing at the same time 2 days in a row, and day 1 everything goes down fine and day 2 the first bite gets stuck. jus' never know! Good luck!

Hi Alex, glad to see you made it back safe and sound. And I know VERY well about the "chasing of the 3 yr old" thing.... what fun! Isnt it wonderful to "get away"?? I think the BEST part of a vacation is getting to re-appreciate home.

Hi Rica... YES, Im one that gets thirsty waaaaay more then hungry! Its a VERY hard habit to not drink while I eat... but I have gotten better. But like you, I stay thirsty!

waaaaaaayyyyy too funny!!!!! This is my (and anyone else with kids) nightly routine! Good one!!!! Thanks.

Hi Maurice... and welcome to the "other" side!!!! Im another one that cant comment on the issues you had. My stomach area was VERY soft - probably from my 3 c-sections! You are gonna do fantastic! (men always do:) ) I remember doing ALOT of popsicles during that phase! And keep in mind that its perfectly normal to get VERY hungry post op. I was asking my nurse when I could get something to eat as soon as I got back in my room from being banded!! Leatha.... I didnt know you had gall-bladder surgery...duhhhh!!!Where the heck have I been???? HOW ARE YOU???????

Hi Heidi, Im kinda like you, Id be a little nervous too if my fill doc wasnt very experienced. Its kinda like getting on an airplane with a pilot that has navigated MANY flights compared to one that has only READ many flight books.... Im sure everything will be fine, but you are certianly normal to be scared! Like I said, I would be too!

Kelly, I would L O V E to see your NEW pic's. The old ones were such an inspiration to me.... considering our starting weights were only 10 pounds apart. You are CERTAINLY gonna have to show the pic's now!!!! By the way, I called Spiegels office (Thursday) to find out when the next support group meeting was and they said the one here in LC had been cancelled due to lack of interest. I wouldnt mind driving to Pt Neches.... just remind me when the next one is maybe I can get someone to ride with me.

Kelly, so glad you are better! Im like you, who wouldve thought that .2cc's wouldve caused THIS much of a problem. So, Spiegel met you at the hospital? I really needed that reassurance on him.

This really is a great thread, but to shift gears for a second... How many of you ever seen the movie, "Count of Monte Cristo" ?(not sure about the spelling) Well, for those of us that HAVE seen it, remember the years "Edmond" spent in prison he developed wisdom, knowledge, strength and MANY other skills. So when he escaped from prison, he had become wiser, more knowledgable, stronger etc.... kinda like WE are!!! I TRULY thank God for MY prison! Because I know - no doubt - that my "prison" has made me a better person...... MUCH kinder, more sensitive to the needs of others, waaaaay more understanding - and other valuable virtues. Kinda like "Edmond", I wouldnt have gained ANY of it - if it wouldnt have been for my "prison life".